Cataract Surgery Recovery

Immediately following cataract surgery

Immediately following your surgery, you'll be asked to rest in the recovery area for 30 minutes or so until your eye drop anesthesia wears off. You must have someone available to drive you home following your procedure and you must also have someone available to drive for you, if needed, for 24 hours after surgery.

Your doctor will place a protective shield over your eye and instruct you to wear it at night for the first week after surgery. This is to keep you from accidentally rubbing your eye and inadvertently scratching it while you sleep. You will also be given a pair of sunglasses to wear on the trip home that will protect your eye from bright light and glare.

If you're tired when you get home, you might want to rest in bed for a while. Depending on your surgeon's advice, you may be required to keep your eye shield continuously for one or more days after surgery or only while in bed at night or during naps for the first week post-op.

While many people report having clear vision within hours of their cataract surgery, everyone heals at a different pace and you may need as long as a week or two after surgery before you can see with a sharp focus.

Days after your cataract surgery

Immediately after your procedure, it is normal for your vision to be blurry because your eye needs to heal and adjust to the new lens. During this period, some people might see wavy or distorted images for brief periods of time. It's also not unusual for you to have tearing and to feel some mild discomfort and itchiness in your operated eye. These symptoms should disappear after a few days.

Following surgery, you might also have bloodshot eyes because of temporary damage that occurs to small blood vessels in the whites of your eye during surgery. This is normal and will resolve quickly. If anesthesia was injected through the skin near your eye prior to surgery, you might notice a small area of bruising which will also disappear in several days.

Your sight will start to improve within a few days. Colors may seem brighter because you're looking through a clear lens. There are some people, particularly multifocal lens patients, who may experience glare and halos around lights at night. These symptoms should resolve over days to weeks.

What to expect in the weeks following cataract surgery

You will be scheduled for additional follow-ups with your surgeon one week and one month after surgery so that your recovery can be closely monitored. Most patients are completely healed with stable vision from 8 to 10 weeks following cataract surgery. If you have cataracts in both eyes, the second surgery is usually scheduled after the first eye has healed.

Many people need glasses for at least some time following cataract surgery. Based on your healing progress, your doctor will let you know when you're ready to be fitted for eyeglasses (typically one to three months post-op). It's important to know that you will need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes on bright days for at least one year following your surgery.

Call our office immediately if, at any time following surgery, you experience any of the following symptoms:

• • Newly occurring light flashes or many floating spots in front of your eye
  • Worsening eye pain
  • Your eyesight is getting worse
  • There is no decrease in swelling or redness
  • You develop discharge from your eye
  • Nausea, vomiting, or fever

While complications following cataract surgery are extremely rare, they have been known to occur. That's why prompt follow up of worrisome symptoms should not be taken lightly.

AGEI'S approach to preparing you for surgery

It's understandable for folks to feel some anxiety when considering any surgery, especially when it involves your vision. That is why, at AGEI, we make a special effort to spend as much time as you need explaining your surgery to you and addressing your concerns.

In fact, we encourage you to bring a family member or friend along to your pre-op visit so that they can ask questions that you may have overlooked. Because we have found that people tend to forget details when they're nervous, bringing someone to your pre-op visit allows them to help refresh your memory later. That said, you are encouraged to ask us questions right up until the time you sit in the procedure chair because that is your right as our patient!

At AGEI, we're committed to making your cataract surgery and recovery go as smoothly as possible and are honored to have you entrust your sight to us.

 

 

 

Cataract surgery recovery FAQs

How long after cataract surgery can you bend over?

You should not bend over after cataract surgery for at least two weeks. Bending over will place pressure on the eye, which may cause unnecessary complications.

How long does it take to recover from cataract surgery?

While your vision will start to improve within a few days, complete healing from cataract surgery takes about eight weeks.

How long after cataract surgery can you drive?

Most patients can get back behind the wheel twenty-four hours after having cataract surgery, but this depends on the individual patient.

What activities should be avoided after cataract surgery?

• driving (for at least 24 hours)
• strenuous activities (for four weeks)
• heavy lifting (for two weeks)
• wearing makeup (for two weeks)
• swimming (for four weeks)
• rubbing your eye
• avoid sneezing and dusty areas

Can you fly after cataract surgery?

Flying is usually safe after cataract surgery, but it's still important to attend all post-operative visits as your surgeon recommends to avoid any possible complications.

Do and don'ts after cataract surgery

While each patient’s recovery is different, and your surgeon will give you instructions specific to treatment, here are some of the general do’s and don’ts, starting with the things you can do:

• watch TV
• be on your computer
• take a shower or take a bath
• read a book
• go for a walk
• take your eye drops as directed
• take it easy for at least a few days
• wear your eye shield as instructed by your surgeon
• wear sunglasses outside
• rest if you feel tired

 

Here are some of the things you avoid after your cataract surgery:

• don’t rub your eye
• don’t get soap or shampoo in your eye
• don’t drive until your doctor allows it

What is the most common complication after cataract surgery?

One of the most common complications post-cataract surgery is increased corneal or outer eye swelling. This is normal and to be expected to some degree, but it's important to monitor closely in the first 24 hours after surgery. During this time, your vision may be more blurry than it was in the recovery room immediately following your surgery. If the swelling is significant, your doctor may recommend an increase in steroid eye drop medication or an additional medication.

Do you need to wear sunglasses following cataract surgery?

It is advised you should wear sunglasses outdoors following surgery.

 

The Assil Gaur Eye Institute Cataract Care Advantage

When you select Assil Gaur Eye Institute for your cataract removal, you will benefit not only from our state-of-the-art laser technology and our physicians' experience but also from our commitment to:

 

Employing the most comprehensive pre-operative testing available today in order to ensure the greatest surgical accuracy, by using multiple measuring systems to measure eye power and replacement lens size.

 

Utilizing micro incisional technology to facilitate faster corneal healing and recovery time. This technology permits cataract removal through a 2mm opening (most other centers are using entry sites that are approximately 50% larger).

 

Operating using leading-edge “cold” and “ellipse” ultrasound technology, which Dr. Assil's research has demonstrated results in less post-op intraocular swelling, providing greater safety, efficacy, and faster visual recovery for our patients.

 

Offering the most comprehensive inventory of Intraocular lenses available today, to ensure the best product type and shape match for your eye.

 

Dedicating ourselves to your care. Your surgeon will remain personally involved in your post-operative examinations throughout your healing. While full visual recovery may take several weeks to stabilize, most people see better and resume all normal activities the day after surgery.